The Stallions from Queens Grant High School defeated the hottest team in the tournament, the Community School of Davidson 1-0 to sweep all three games in their quest to winning both the regular season title and PAC 7 tournament championship. This is the first time the school baseball team has ever won both titles in the same season.
The Stallions and Davidson who were the top seeds in the tournament, both teams had ample opportunities to score throughout the game, but the pitchers and the defense came up big when they had to deliver.
The Stallions would score the only run of the game in the second inning when Andy Duran smacked a solid base hit, he would promptly steal second base, and score on a Andrew Ollenberger single to center field.
In the third, the Stallions would mount another big threat, Spencer Smith walked, steal second base, Alwin Duran would work a base on balls, the runners advanced on a dirt ball read putting them in scoring position, with two outs slugger Andy Duran would drive a pitch deep into the center field gap, and the Davidson center fielder would make an outstanding diving catch to prevent any further damage keeping the game close.
Stallions starter Bryce Gorospe was coasting until the sixth inning when he loaded up the bases with only one out, a ground ball to second baseman Ollenberger would cut down the runner at the plate, then Goropse would strikeout the next batter to end the threat.
In the seventh, the lead-off hitter singled and took an extra base on an fielding error, the next batter grounded out advancing the runner to third, hard hitting Dylan Koontz was intentionally walked, he advanced to second unchallenged, now with one out and the tying run on second and third, Gorospe would strikeout the next batter, the Spartans final hitter would drive a ball toward the left center field gap, senior Spencer Smith would run it down for the final out and seal the championship for the Stallions.
The winning pitcher was Gorospe improving his record to 6-3 on the season, Andrew Ollenberger went 1-2, RBI, Andy Duran 1-3, Leo Hoffer 1-2 to lead the hitters for the Stallions.
Queens Grant will host an NCHSAA second round playoff game Friday night at 5:00 PM against a to be named opponent. The brackets and seeding will be announced shortly.
